How To Sew Ruffle Bowl Covers

February 3, 2026

How To Sew a Ruffle Bowl Cover | Free Printable Patter

This free printable pattern comes in small, medium, and large sizes, designed to fit approximately:

Small – fits bowls approximately 4″ – 6″ in diameter
Medium – fits bowls approximately 7″ – 9″ in diameter
Large – fits bowls approximately 10″ – 12″ in diameter

This is a variation of my simple bowl cover pattern. It uses a bit more fabric to add the ruffled edge; which may be ideal if you’re looking to fit a certain style (e.g. vintage) or make your bowl covers stand out when selling at craft shows or online.

You can use a natural material for both layers of these covers (e.g. cotton or linen), or use a food-safe waterproof fabric such as food-safe PUL or waxed canvas for the bottom layer.

Breathable – using cotton or linen for both layers will make these covers breathable. Ideal if you’re using it to cover items such as salad or vegetables, when you don’t want to trap moisture in as it can make the food soggy.
Non-breathable – using a waterproof fabric for the bottom layer will make these covers non-breathable. Ideal if you’re covering items such as casseroles or food you don’t want to dry out. It’s also ideal if you’re using these covers to proof dough.

Bowl covers are often used for:

keeping food fresh
covering leftovers
keeping bugs out of food at outdoor events
transporting food to potlucks
proofing dough

Materials

Natural fabric (cotton or linen is ideal)
Optional: Food-safe waterproof fabric (e.g. food-safe PUL, food-safe waxed cotton, food-safe nylon, food-safe laminated cotton) if you want the covers to be non-breathable.
*1/4” wide elastic
Thread

*Length varies based on the size you’re making. Please see each pattern piece for lengths.

Tools

Sewing machine
Fabric clips
Scissors
Safety pin or bodkin
Fabric clips
Iron

How to sew ruffle bowl covers

Step 1

Print your free pattern and cut out the pieces.

Be sure you’re placing the two edges of the pattern on two folded edges of fabric, as the pattern indicates.

Cut two pieces of fabric for the top and bottom of the bowl cover (you can use the same fabric, contrasting fabrics, or cotton/linen for the top and a food-safe, waterproof fabric for the bottom.
Cut one piece of 1/4″ wide elastic (length will vary depending on pattern size; length is indicated on pattern piece)

Step 2

Place your two pattern pieces right sides together.

Use a 1/2″ seam allowance to sew around the circle, leaving a 2″ – 3″ opening (the bigger the size, the bigger the opening you may want to turn it right side out).

Backstitch at the start and end.

Step 3

Press your seam back where the opening is. It’s easier to do this now rather than once you turn it right side out.

Cut your seam allowance to about 3/8″ away from your stitching.

Don’t cut the seam allowance where your opening is; leave that as is.

Step 4

Turn your cover right side out and press.

If you’re using food-safe, waterproof fabric, use a lower heat setting and press cloth to be sure you don’t melt the fabric (test on a scrap piece of fabric first).

Step 5

Use a temporary fabric marker to mark a line 1″ away from the edge, where the opening in the fabric is. This will be your second line of stitching to create a channel for your elastic.

Then mark another line 3/8″ – 1/2″ above that.

*If you find it challenging to keep your line of sewing accurate, sew closer to 1/2″ away from your top stitching line. This will give you more room to fit your elastic and bodkin/safety pin through the channel. If you’re good at keeping your seam allowance accurate, use the 3/8″ line.

Using the second line (i.e. the line furthest from the edge of the circle), sew all around the circumference of the circle, keeping your seam allowance consistent.